Head-to-head · Best Countertop Microwaves

Panasonic NN-SN686S vs Panasonic NN-SN966S

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Panasonic NN-SN966S comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about Large households and anyone who regularly reheats big dishes or casseroles and wants the most even, powerful microwave heating. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #2 in Best Countertop Microwaves

Panasonic NN-SN686S

4.4

3 sources2 derived$259.95as of Aug 1

The Panasonic NN-SN686S brings the flagship's inverter technology and Genius Sensor down to a more manageable 1.2 cu ft, 1200W body. Consumer Reports rated it Excellent for both heat evenness and auto-defrost, which arguably makes it the best-heating microwave in this roundup per dish. Buy it if you want Panasonic's even cooking without the 2.2 cu ft model's bulk, and can accept a smaller interior and dated looks.

Strengths

— Same inverter even-heating and Genius Sensor as the flagship in a smaller body
— Excellent Consumer Reports scores for heat evenness and defrosting
— 1.2 cu ft fits most dishes while taking less counter space than the 2.2 model

Watch-outs

— Capacity can feel limiting if you frequently cook large dishes
— Old-fashioned styling and membrane controls
— Costs more than conventional microwaves of similar size

$259.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Countertop Microwaves

Panasonic NN-SN966S

4.5

3 sources2 derived$289.95as of Jun 7

The Panasonic NN-SN966S is the most capable countertop microwave here: a 2.2 cu ft, 1250W inverter model whose constant-power inverter circuit and Genius Sensor produce the even heating that traditional microwaves lack. Designer Appliances praises its gentle, uniform heat distribution, and it has long been the popular choice for big-dish households. Size, price, and some reliability complaints are the trade-offs. On cooking performance it leads the category.

Strengths

— Inverter technology delivers genuinely even heating without burnt edges or frozen centers
— Huge 2.2 cu ft interior fits large dishes and a dinner plate with room to spare
— Powerful 1250W output cooks and reheats faster than most rivals

Watch-outs

— Large footprint demands significant counter space
— Some owners report premature failures, raising reliability questions
— Membrane control panel feels dated next to dial-based rivals

$289.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Panasonic NN-SN686S

The compact sibling of the Panasonic NN-SN966S, sharing its inverter and Genius Sensor in a 1.2 cu ft body that matches the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS's footprint. Its inverter even-heating beats the conventional Toshiba EM131A5C-BS, Black+Decker EM925AB9, and Galanz GLCMKZ09BKR09; the only thing it gives up to the NN-SN966S is interior size and a little power.

Panasonic NN-SN966S

Shares Panasonic's inverter advantage with the smaller NN-SN686S — both heat more evenly than the conventional Toshiba EM131A5C-BS, Black+Decker EM925AB9, and Galanz GLCMKZ09BKR09 — but the NN-SN966S nearly doubles the NN-SN686S's interior at 2.2 cu ft. It is the largest and most powerful microwave in this roundup; the others are mid-size or compact.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Panasonic NN-SN686S	Panasonic NN-SN966S
Power	1200W	1250W
Capacity	1.2 cu ft	2.2 cu ft
Technology	Inverter + Genius Sensor	Inverter + Genius Sensor
Programs	14 sensor presets	14 sensor presets
Turntable	13.4 in	16.5 in
Defrost	Turbo Defrost	Turbo Defrost
Finish	Stainless steel	—
Warranty	1 year	1 year
Dimensions	15.8"D x 20.7"W x 12.2"H	19.4"D x 23.9"W x 14"H
Wattage	1480 watts	1250 watts
Material	Stainless Steel	Aluminum
Footprint	—	23.9 x 19.4 in

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